Making the Best Record

1. Making the Best Record YOUR PHOTO HERE Powered by National Court Reporters Foundation Presented by YOUR NAME HERE

2. Making the Best Record The attorney’s job is to makethe record. The court reporter’s job is to preserve it. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

3. Making the Best Record Court Reporters: Are Independent Officers of the Court. Serve all parties and have no interest in the outcome of the proceedings. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

4. Making the Best Record Think of our system of justice as a three-legged stool… Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

5. Making the Best Record Points to remember… Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

6. Making the Best Record Making the best deposition record starts at scheduling! Do you have a Notice? Estimated duration? Special reporting needs? Special technology needs? Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

7. Making the Best Record More things to consider when scheduling! When do you need the transcript? What transcript formats do you prefer? Advise ASAP if the depocancels! Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

8. Making the Best Record Before asking your first question in a deposition… Consider room layout and acoustics. Any exhibits to pre-mark? Provide your business card. Inform your witness of reporter’s role. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

9. Making the Best Record In a courtroom… Microphones are often utilized. The judge determines all other protocols. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

10. Making the Best Record The Goal: To capture every word! Enunciate clearly. Speak at a well-modulated pace. Don’t interrupt. Ever. Don’t speak while reporter is marking exhibits. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

11. Making the Best Record And Some More Best Practices Be very mindful when reading. Be precise when using numbers. Spell case-specific proper nouns for the court reporter. Please spell slowly! Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

12. Making the Best Record Reporters write what is being said, not what is being done. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

13. Making the Best Record Clarify “uh-huhs,” “uh-uhs,” “mm-hms” and “mm-mms.” Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

14. Making the Best Record Did you say “B”? “C”? “D”? “V” or “3”..? “A” or “The”…? Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

15. Making the Best Record Things to avoid: Uttering “Okay,” “I see” & “All right” Double negatives The use of vague pronouns Creating distractions such as clicking pens Going for long periods without stopping for a break Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

16. Making the Best Record Be very careful… As to when you’re going on or off the record. As to when a quote begins and ends. What is and isn’t confidential or “Attorneys Eyes Only.” To use vernacular that is tailored to the witness. To clarify thick accents. Using directions such as “east” & “west.” Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

17. Making the Best Record At the end of the deposition: • If applicable, ascertain whether the witness would like to read and sign. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

18. Making the Best Record To obtain your transcript: • Be clear as to your transcript order. • Be responsive when the reporter contacts you for clarifications, as this could impact your delivery time. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

19. Making the Best Record As with attorneys, court reporters have different levels of experience and expertise. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

20. Making the Best Record To get the most out of your court reporter, get to know the services he/she can offer! Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

21. Making the Best Record Freelance reporters can offer assistance in trial presentation. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

22. Realtime transcript feed display Making the Best Record • Live feed from court reporter • Your case issues • Auto tagging of key words • Issue highlights • “Quick marks” for later review Advantages of Realtime Technology Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

23. Making the Best Record Additional services available: • Videotaping of depositions • Synchronizing video to transcripts • Paperless exhibits • Exhibits linked within electronic transcript • Mobile videoconferencing • Trial technologies • CART for Deaf and Hard of Hearing • Interpreter services Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

24. Making the Best Record Using Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) in the Judicial Setting • Assess the needs of the person requiring the service. • Give adequate notice to court administration that CART will be needed. • Provide detailed information to the reporter to prepare. • Allow adequate time for the person to read the screen. Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

25. Making the Best Record This presentation can be downloaded at: www.NCRA.org/NCRF Powered by the National Court Reporters Foundation

26. Making the Best Record Questions? YOUR NAME HERE Your email address here This presentation is Powered by: National Court Reporters Foundation